Evaluative On-line ConferenceMay 8, 1997
Present: Angie Satterfield (Angie1), Ron Eller (Ron), Jeff White (jcwhite), Webster Newbold (No1)
Comments referred to in the article appear in RED
Logging turned on at Thu May 08 18:31:31 1997
<Angie1> hi, i'm fine
<No1> How's the weather down there?
<Angie1> it rained all day but is clearing up now
<No1> It rained early in the day, but has cleared up here too. Not that I got outside today!
<Angie1> same here only from the building to my car
<Angie1> did you get my paper?
<No1> Yes, safe and sound
<Angie1> oh goody
<Angie1> was it long enough?
<No1> As a matter of fact, I've read it and graded it since I'm going out of town tomorrow and have to get grades in today!
<Angie1> aren't you efficent
<No1> Do you want to know your semester grade?
<Angie1> YES
<Angie1> please
<No1> Let's see, it's around here somewhere........
<Angie1> sont toy with me
<No1> Semester Grade, Angie Satterfield: A-
<Angie1> YIPPIE
<No1> We now have pluses and minuses, so it's hard to get a full A but you did very well in the course.
<Angie1> what did you think of the paper?
<No1> I thought is was much better, and thought it had a lot of information and personal experience that would no doubt be extremely useful to persons dealing with these problems
<Angie1> I've had two teachers where I work ask for copies.
<No1> I had to read quickly and didn't take time to write comments yet, so if you can wait a while I'll try to get some responses to you.
<Angie1> I'd like that thanks
<No1> Is there a newslatter or some periodical for ADDHD parents and families? If so, you might consider submitting it.
<Angie1> there are several, I'll have to think about that but maybe
Ron joined.(total 3)
<No1> Ron has joined...is this the real Ron Eller?
<Angie1> we have a Ron?
<Angie1> :)
<Ron whispered> Yes, I finally showed up... I had to beg my Boss.
<No1 whispered to Ron> OK, great. Is your whisper on purposely?
<Ron> No, Just a mistake.
<No1> Ron is a BSU on-campus student who was at our orientation which you couldn;t make, Angie.
<No1> Ron, this is Angie. Angie, this is Ron.
<Ron> Nice to meet you Angie
<Angie1> I wish I could of made it
<Angie1> I would love to be able to put faces to the names.
<Ron> It was a lot of fun
<Angie1> nice to meet you Ron
<Ron> I havent seen the picture of the class yet.
<Angie1> there is a picture of the class?
<No1> Well, maybe someday. I am getting a 104 source together for next Spring. That's Comp. 2 writings based on readings, esp. literary readings.
<Angie1> I just read about that class
<Ron> When can I sign up!
<Angie1> hmmmm
<No1> Those pictures...they didn;t turn out so I didn;t use them. There wasn't enough light and everypone looked hungover from the hard day...
<Angie1> oh darn
<Ron> Oh Well, I don't do well in pictures anyway
<No1> Regarding 104: Registration will begin in October for the Spring Semester. The course will be similar to this one but make more use of the WWW and discussions about literature.
<Angie1> just send me a copy anyway, curosity is killing me about certain individual in the class
<No1> Angie, if you're talking about the picture, I don;t even know where it is. It may turn up when I clean my office this month!
<Ron> are there any other students left to join us today
<No1> Well, I don't know if we're going to have too many others--we chatted with Dan yesterday afternoon. So should we begin?
<Angie1> sure
<Ron> Sure, Why not
<No1> I have some questions about conferencing prepared, which will relate more to Angie's experience than Ron'a, since he was prevented from doing conferencing. So if you don';t mind, I'll ask a few conferencing questions and then go to some more general ones.
<Angie1> fine
<Ron> ok
<No1> How difficult was it to "get started conferencing"? Did you need extra help or were the instructions in Orientation and on the course site sufficient?
<Angie1> the orientation was lovely : )
<Angie1> seriously
<No1> so sorry you missed it...
<Angie1> to start conferencing I didn't have to much trouble with getting on line your instructions on the course site were fine
<Angie1> we just followed those with out a problem
<No1> I take it that Angie had very little porblem since she was the first one on in january and has stayed on ever since, come He__ and high water.
<Angie1> darn that high water
<Angie1> and deer
<Ron> I wish I could have been here earlier in the semester.
<No1> Ron may not be aware that you had a "run in" with a woodland creature a few months back...
<Angie1> I really enjoyed the classes and when I missed one I would be bummed
<Angie1> cute little creature wasn't it
<No1> Well, Ron, if you can schedule 104 in the spring, we'll make sure you have a viable conferencing time.
<Ron> Sounds good to me.
<No1> So stand by for another question...
<No1> What have you found to be difficult with CONVERSING in an on-line conference?
<Angie1> I like the more familiar flow of a "real" conversation its kind of hard at times to follow what is being said on line when two people would be having two different conversations
<No1> ...or six people having three conversations...
<Angie1> but once you got use to it and learning how to whisper and make sure it is a whisper is better
<No1> Yes, it is confusing at times. I encouraged peoiple always to use direct address when responding to a particular person. That helps somewhat.
jcwhite joined.(total 4)
<Angie1> yep and I'm bad about remembering that
<Ron> me too
jcwhite left(total 3)
jcwhite joined.(total 4)
<No1> I see that jcwhite joined and unjoined...and joined again! Welcome wanderer
<No1> Where are you, Jeff?
<Angie1> stick around this time
<jcwhite> Hello. I had a devil of a time getting connected.
<jcwhite> I am at home.
<No1> OK, Jeff, meet Ron. Ron, meet Jeff.
<Ron> Hi Jeff
<jcwhite> Unfortunately, I have to go in about 15 or 20 minutes...
<jcwhite> Hi Ron
<No1> OK, then here's a quick question while you're still here.
<No1> What are some of the strengths of Internet conferencing in a course such as ours?
<Angie1> is this Q for all of us?
<No1> Yes, Q for all
<Angie1> I like the give and take. It helps me personnally with my papers and makes me feel a little more familar or confident in my work and with the others in the class.
<Ron> I think its a good Idea to be able to criticize someones work, while they are 20 miles away.
<jcwhite> I am seeing the strengths as the ability for us to set up different rooms and chat.
<Angie1> lol
<Ron> it makes it a little more honest I think
<No1> Ron--you mean the writing and studying at a distance?
<Angie1> sure does
<Ron> Yep
<jcwhite> I like the feature for blinking from a WWWpage and back to the chat session.
<Ron> Me too
<Angie1> that one had me baffled for a while
<Angie1> but I figured it out , finally
<jcwhite> We can all research and then "bring back" website for the group--and yet each person can mess with the page on his or her own.
<No1> Yes, I agree with that all these features are potential strengths. In the 104 course, I'd like to make sure we use more of the Internet's capability for sharing resources and pages we've found.
<jcwhite> Yes, in 104 that might be a much more useful feature.
<No1> One of the problems tha tI've felt this semester is the lack of technology consistency among all students. Not all people even used Netscape, so we couldn't assume we could share pages.
<Ron> All of my conversations have taken place in VAX
<No1> Ron, can I ask why..?
<Angie1> not to offend anyone but something that bugged me was the lack of consistancy for showing up for class or finally showing up and rushing through or being sorta rude.
<No1 whispered to Angie1> Hold on a minute..we'll get to your comment but I wanted to see where Ron is with his technology..
<Ron> My work schedule is m-f 2-12 midnight. On weekends I work from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
<Ron> so vax mail has helped a lot
<Angie1> what a yukky schedule
<Ron> I wish my boss would agree!
<No1> Yes, I realize that you have a heavy work schedule --it even sounds like you're working more now than before...
<Angie1 whispered> my comment wasn't directed at Ron
<Ron> But I have a lot of bills, so I'm not complaning to much
<No1 whispered to Angie1> Yes, I know, and I have the same thoughts often
<No1> So, Ron, did you work on your essays at home or here at school?
<jcwhite> tough question, No1. :)
<Ron> could you repeat the Question Please
<jcwhite> tough request Ron :)
<No1> Ron, sis you do your work at home or at BSU?
<No1> no, "DID"
<Ron> i did all my work at home, usually at about 2 a.m.
<No1> Ouch. But as I understand it, you do have a dial-in connection and Netscape at home, or do you rely on VAXmail mostly?
<No1> Or did I get my wires crossed...?
<jcwhite> I am curious about how frequently each of you checked the Web site--and once on, how much time did you spend on it?
<Ron> I use both an equal amout of time, but I checked the Course site about 2 times a week
<Angie1> I checked at least once a day, sometimes twice. I would hit on anything new and recheck my due dates
<Angie1> especially when waiting to read rough drafts.
<Ron> I used it for the information links, and to go over the plan for each paper
<No1> I think we have in Angie and Ron two different approaches to distance studying, which I take it results from various responsibilities, time pressures, and also perhaps differing approaches to study. (not a porfound remark, but interesting...)
<No1> profound..that is
<No1> One thing a teacher must anticipate is a wide variety of personality and learning styles wihtin any class group--and it seems whether on-line or in the classroom, students have different ways of doing things.
<Ron> I study better after everyone else is asleep, and There are no distractions.
<Angie1> such as? different ways of viewing due dates?
<jcwhite> me too Ron--I'm always awake at 4 and 5--doing my "best" work.
<No1> I'd say Angie visited the site possibly more than average, Ron (and Pat, who also said he clocked in about twice a week) perhaps a little less. I am making plans to consider how communication flow can generally be improved in this course, and would welcome any suggestions.
<Angie1> I found I did my best work under pressure of a due date. I don't have the luxury : ) of quiet time
<jcwhite> So due dates help you, Angie?
<Angie1> very much so, because then I am forced to make time in my schedule for it.
<jcwhite> interesting./
<Angie1> its that ADD thing
<Angie1> or maybe a blond thing
<No1> If I could get some of your thoughts on this communication issue I'd be really happy--" I am making plans to consider how communication flow can generally be improved in this course, and would welcome any suggestions."
<Angie1> I think if the people k
<jcwhite> No1, I think the communication lines are definitely there--or here--but I am not sure we (the whole class) used them as often as I would have liked to see.
<Angie1> oops
<jcwhite> I guess I like the idea of more responses back and forth--generating more of a "community" feel. I cannot suggest how I would do that--or else I would have already suggested and tried to encourage it.
<Angie1> I think if the people become familiar with each other in the class the flow is more casual and relaxed and others aren't as easily offended by the commentsor critques
<No1> On a practical point, do you think all assignments need to be put into e-mail as well as posted on the Web site?
<jcwhite> I think that this is easier to ignore e-mails and the website than it is to ignore "group work" days in classes.
<Angie1> I felt really comfortable with several people in the class but others seemed to take offense at honest comments
<Ron> Not really. I like the Emails better--but thats just my preference, I guess.
<Angie1> I think they felt it was easier to "blow off" this class if something else came up as opposed to a "real" class situation
<jcwhite> yes, I think yr right, Angie.
<Ron> good point
<jcwhite> And on that note, I must say g'night.
<No1> Angie, I agree that computer involvement is "low key" compared to someone waiting for you in a classroom. I guess involvemnent here has to be learned much more than in other contexts, wher we naturally react to the physical presence of others.
<No1> Bye, Jeff. Have a good one.
<Ron> Bye Jeff. Might see you again for the 104 course
<Angie1> yeah thats what I meant
<Angie1> bye Jeff
<jcwhite> bye guys. Dr. N, will you be in yr office tomorow in the early afternoon?
<jcwhite> or at all, actually?
<No1> No, Jeff, I'm out of town tomorrow until next week.
<No1> E-mail me on Monday and we'll set up a time....
<jcwhite> yikes....Okay.
<No1> Or call me later at home if it's urgent. I'm pretty pooped, yo might not get much out of me...
<jcwhite> Angie, watch out for deer down there--it was fun to chat w/you each week. Be good and good luck.
<Angie1> same here Jeff be careful out there
<No1> Having been involved in conferencing for about 10 years now, I've noticed that it's easy for people who are inclined to be irritated with others to BE IRRITATED with other in electronic discussions.
<jcwhite> I'll just check w/you monday--I will give you a paper that day and we can go from there if you want to make revision suggestions and all that.
<jcwhite> Bye.
<No1> Bye, Jeff
jcwhite left(total 3)
<Angie1> bye jeff
<No1> I guess it's the lack of body language, "metalinguistic cues" and all that stuff. But conferencing shows how tenuous verbal communication can be of you're not careful.
<Angie1> yes, like when I mean somehting in jest or using sarcasm it just doesn't translate well in the typing of it
<Angie1> you can't see the twinkle in my eye
<No1> Right, Angie. Sarcasm is dangerous in cyberspace--thus we have those emoticons:)
<No1> ;|
<Ron> Its hard to tell if something is meant as a joke or not when you see it in Times New Roman.
<Angie1> :0
<Angie1> amen
<No1> And all thoise other ones....yes, I like that one..
<Ron> I wish we could do Itallics if chat, that would solve all our problems
<No1> Yeah...I have one more specific question for Angie..
<No1> Can you remember any specific instances when you were helped with a writing project by peer or teacher comments in a conference?
<Angie1> I did the other evualation, the first one , the second one I couldn't send from here because of the url I'm gonna try it from work tomarrow morning
<No1> (I say "Angie" because I don't think Ron had any writing reviewed in a real-time conference this semester)
<Angie1> yes, you and jeff helped a lot either by E-mail or from the conferences.
<No1> Do you remember any particular paper that yo were helped with?
<Angie1> I liked getting your help on the persuasion piesce on ADD. because of seeing how the others in group asked questions about it and that gave me a better idea of what to include in my paper
<No1> Yes, I guess we helped you cover that topic really well this semester! I certainly learned a lot about it.
<Angie1> I also liked how the clas started with the different types of writing and not getting a real grade on those pieces, It made me feel a little more comfortable with my writing ability
<Angie1> I'm referring to the different styles of writing we did at the beginning, freewriting, etc.
<No1> Good..I like those warm up exercises too and will try to keep that feature intact.
<No1> Regarding evaluations: have you had a chance to get to Dr. Nasseh's student survey yet, Ron?
<Angie1> In the beginning I was really freaked out about beginning college
<No1> Angie, is this your beginning semester? You already sound like an old pro.
<Ron> Yes, I cheked my mail in Netscape, so I zipped right over!
<Angie1> no sorry just an old beginner
<Angie1> I do feel more comfortable with my writing ability now
<No1> Ron, great. The anonymous page is almost ready and will be announced tonight. Just follow links and answer the questions.
<Ron> Cool!
<Ron> Did you recieve my Final Papaer in a non Klingon-like format?
<No1> Yes, Ron, final draft received in pretty good shape. I'll get back with some comments next week when I get back into town.
<Ron> Good, i've had some problems with that
<No1> OK, thanks to you both for logging on. As long as you're here, do yo have any objections if I post the final research projects as a kind of "show and tell" for the semester?
<Angie1> thats fine with me, will it be posted so we can all read them?
<Ron> As long as I didn't Fail, I don't mind at all!
<No1> Yes, posted as a collected final works of the course, for the world to see.
<Angie1> ok
<No1> Good-I'll get to that next week, too. This week is about shot along with my thinking and typing abilities. So have a great Mother's Day and keep in touch. Check the BSu links every now and again.
<Ron> Would you be able to E-Mail me an update on the 104 class. Whenever there's some info?
<Angie1> well if that's it for tonight, I must say I really enjoyed this class and am looking forward to the next one. Thank you for making my college debue so easy and enjoyable.
<Angie1> same here for the 104 class
<Ron> Thanks for making my second shot at 103 a little more sucessful (i hope!)
<No1> You're very welcome. For info about 104, I'll try to remember to e-mail people I know who are interested in Fall semester. Or send me a reminder e-mail to wake me up!
<Ron> Can Do!
<Angie1> alrighty
<No1> Bye to all..see you in cyberspace...
<Angie1> bye no1 and ron
<Ron> Good BYe!
<Angie1> watch out for deer
<Ron> Will Do
Logging turned off at Thu May 08 19:49:04 1997